ARLINGTON - A crash that killed a stranded driver and seriously injured an ODOT employee who had stopped to help him is a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by anyone stopped or working along Oregon’s roads.  

Roadside workers often have no choice but to work just feet, or even inches, from moving traffic. When drivers see flashing lights, a vehicle stopped on the shoulder or someone working along the road, they need to slow down, pay attention and give them space. Oregon’s Move Over Law requires drivers approaching a stopped vehicle with flashing or hazard lights to move over when it is safe to do so or slow down. These aren’t suggestions. They are actions that save lives. 

“There is no excuse for not slowing down and paying attention when people are along the highway,” ODOT District 9 Manager Dan Shanahan said. “What happened Tuesday is devastating, and lives have been forever changed. The people you pass on the shoulder or working in a closed lane aren’t just workers or stranded drivers. They are someone’s family member, friend, or neighbor. Our crews care deeply about the work they do and the people they serve. They’re out there every day working to keep the public safe, and they need drivers to do their part in return. Slow down and pay attention. If you can’t do that, don’t drive.” 

The ODOT employee, who works at the Arlington Maintenance Station, had been helping a driver change a flat tire on the shoulder of Interstate 84 near Arlington on Tuesday Aug. 11. The employee had parked his ODOT truck on the shoulder and activated its amber warning lights and reader board directing approaching traffic into the far lane.

According to Oregon State Police, a driver struck the ODOT vehicle and then hit the ODOT employee and driver he was helping. Sadly, the stranded driver was killed. The ODOT employee was taken by helicopter to a regional trauma center where he is being treated for his injuries. OSP is handling the crash investigation and issued a news release providing details on what occurred.

When people hear “work zone,” they often think of a construction project with cones and lane closures. But a work zone can be anywhere crews are working along the road. Signs, flashing lights and vehicles parked along the highway are signals that someone may be working nearby and drivers need to slow down, pay attention and give them space. 

“Work zone safety isn’t just about keeping workers safe,” Interim Region Manager Ben Ebner said. “It’s about everyone on the road. Drivers need to recognize when they’re entering an area where people are working and adjust how they drive.” 

Oregon work zone crashes hit a five-year high in 2024 — 621 crashes — according to the latest data from ODOT. The crashes claimed 14 lives and resulted in 36 serious injuries. Most work zone crashes involve drivers, not road workers. In 2024, all of the serious injuries and deaths in work zones were to drivers or their passengers.  

Drivers can keep themselves and others safe by remembering to: 

• Pay attention. Distracted driving is a leading cause of work zone crashes. 

• Move over. When you see road workers, safely change lanes to give them space. If you can’t move over, slow down.